Review: Defending Taylor by Miranda Kenneally

Note: I received an ARC through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Goodreads Synopsis:

Captain of the soccer team, president of the Debate Club, contender for valedictorian: Taylor’s always pushed herself to be perfect. After all, that’s what is expected of a senator’s daughter. But one impulsive decision—one lie to cover for her boyfriend—and Taylor’s kicked out of private school. Everything she’s worked so hard for is gone, and now she’s starting over at Hundred Oaks High.

Soccer has always been Taylor’s escape from the pressures of school and family, but it’s hard to fit in and play on a team that used to be her rival. The only person who seems to understand all that she’s going through is her older brother’s best friend, Ezra. Taylor’s had a crush on him for as long as she can remember. But it’s hard to trust after having been betrayed. Will Taylor repeat her past mistakes or can she score a fresh start?

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

I am in love with the Hundred Oaks series. Seriously. Could it be any more adorable while tackling realistic teen issues?

In Defending Taylor, Taylor has just been kicked out of private school. She took the blame for her boyfriend and banked on her father’s Senate position saving her from getting in trouble. Taylor never thought she would actually get in trouble. Now she’s stuck at a new school, on a new soccer team where no one likes her. If that wasn’t bad enough, the guilt she feels over putting her father’s re-election campaign at risk makes matters even worse.

The one good surprise in Taylor’s new life is her brother’s best friend, Ezra. His support and understanding are the only things keeping Taylor from completely falling apart. Taylor knows she shouldn’t trust him after all she’s been through, but she’s having a hard time forgetting about the crush she’s had on him for years.

As Taylor’s problems become the focus of her father’s campaign, Taylor has to fight to stand up for herself and restore her family’s faith in her.

I adored Defending Taylor. It had Miranda Kenneally’s brilliant writing, relatable characters and a maturity we haven’t seen in the previous Hundred Oaks novels. Taylor’s actions in this story felt very real, like something I would have done as a teenager. The way Taylor learned from her mistakes and took control of her future is a great example for the teenagers who will read this book.

I can’t say enough how much I love this series. I would highly recommend Defending Taylor and any of the other books in the Hundred Oaks series. They’re teen fiction at it’s best.